Ernest a



No. 625,584. Patentd May 23, I899.

, E. A. MILLER.

LAWN MOWER.

(Application filed June 2, 1898.)

(No Model.) 2 Shdets-8heet l.

mi tumour No. 625,584. Patented May 23, 11899. E. A. MILLER.

LAWN MOWER.

\Applicatioh filed June 2, 1898.;

(No Model) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

NlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST A. MILLER, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THEODORE E. CHRISTMAN, OF SAME PLACE.

LAWN-MOWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N'O. 625,584, dated May 23, 1899.

Application filed June 2, 1898. Serial No. 682,380. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ERNEST A. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at J ackson, in the county of Jackson and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lawn-Mowers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a f ull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in lawn-mowers of that class in which the cutting is effected by a horizontally-rotating disk or wheel carrying peripheral cutting-blades acting in conjunction with similar blades on a fixed disk; and the object of the invention is to provide a simple, durable, and efficient mower of this class embodying improved means for adjusting the frame for high and low cutand for adjusting the propelling-handle independently of the frame. v

To this end the invention consists in the features and in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, and specifically set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure l is a perspective view of a lawnmower constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 isa top plan View of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. is an inner side elevational view of one of the ground-wheels. Fig. 5'is a crosssectional view through one of the groundwheels and the adjoining stationary disk; and Fig. 6 is a detail View of the clutch or backing-ratchet, showing the position of the parts thereof when engaged to rotate with the shaft. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section'through one of the ground-wheels, its stationary disk, and the adjoining end hanger of the cutter-frame on line 7 7 of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the adjustable cutter-frame. Fig. 9 is a similar view of one of the stationary disks and its rearwardly-projecting arm. Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like letters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the severalviews, A represents the cutterframe of the machine, which consists of a cross-bar B, supported by suitable end hangers C, in which the ends of the main shaft D are journaled. Arranged at each side of this frame is a stationary disk E, and said disks are provided with rearwardly-projecting arms F, formed at their rear ends with vertical grooves f for the reception of slotted hangers g, in which an ordinary ground or trail roller His mounted. Bolts h, projecting through the arms and the slots of the hangers and having nuts tapped thereon, adj ustably secure the latter to the arms, so that the roller may be adjusted in a vertical plane when desired independently of the frame.

The opposite ends'of the main shaft project through and are fitted to slide in segmental slots '1 formed in the rear ends of the stationary disks, and carry spur-pinions j, which mesh with gears la, cast integrally with or keyed to the inner faces ofthe groundwheels K. These wheels are mounted upon stub-shafts l, projecting from the outer faces of the stationary disks, and are held thereon, as usual, by retaining-nuts tapped onto the outer ends of said shafts and are provided with inturned flanges m, which constitute the tread portions thereof. The stationary disks may have position some little distance inside of the wheels, but preferably fit into the open inner sides thereof, so as to exclude as much as possible the entrance of dust and dirt thereinto. The cutter-frame is secured to the disks by bolts n, which projectthrough the segmental slots in the disks and curved horizontal slots 0 in the hangers 0, each bolt being provided with a head 1), adapted to bridge across the slot of the disk and bear against the inner side thereof, and fitted with a nut 19 and washer 19 adapted to bear against the bifurcated extension of the handle,hereinafter described, and thereby clamp said extension and the frame-hanger against movement. By loosening up the nuts the bolts will be free to slide in the slots, and the frame may be oscillated on the shaft, or the frame and shaft together adjusted, so as to adjust the cutting mechanism, hereinafter described, for high or low cut, as will be readily understood. When the frame is independently adjusted, the front end thereof will ICO be raised or lowered; but when the shaft and frame are both adjusted the frame is moved toward or from the surface of the ground, so as to vary the elevation thereof.

The cutting mechanism consists of a fixed disk Q, rigidly mounted on the cross-bar B and provided at its front edge with a series of cutting-blades q, arranged substantially in a semicircle, and a wheel or disk R, mounted to rotate horizontally on a stud orstub-shaft projecting upwardly from said fixed disk, said disk B being provided with peripheral cutting-blades r. This latter wheel or disk carries a fixed bevel-pinion s, which is adapted to mesh with a beveled gear 25, loosely mounted on the main shaft D. This beveled gear is adapted to turn loosely on the shaft when the machine is run backward, but to rotate therewith and impart motion to the pinion on the cutter wheel or disk when the machine is run forward through the medium of a clutch or backing-ratchet connection. This comprises a pair of pins u, fitted tightly in openings in the shaft, with their ends projecting therefrom, a clutch collar or hub 't', rigidly mounted on the bevel-gear t, and an independent clutch collar or hub w, loosely mounted on the shaft. The meeting faces of these clutch collars or hubs are formed with teeth having inclined faces projecting in reverse directions, and the operation is such that when the shaft is rotated forwardly the clutch member to will turn independently of the clutch member 1) until the outer portions of the inclined faces of the teeth thereof are in contact, and the said members are forced apart and caused to bind firmly by frictional contact against the said pins on the shaft, whereby they will be rigidly connected with the shaft and will rotate with it, thus imparting rotary motion to the horizontal cutter wheel or disk R. WVhen, however, the machine is run backward, the clutch member to will move in a reverse direction independently of the clutch membero until the toothed faces thereof are in intimate contact, thus releasing the same from engagement with the contact members or pins, and consequently with the shaft, and allowing the shaft to revolve freely without affecting the cutting mechanism, as will be readily understood. Thus it will be seen that a backing-ratchet or clutch. device which is simple in construction and effective in operation is provided for this purpose, whereby the employment of springs and other extraneous means for throwing the clutch members into and out of engagement is avoided.

The propelling-handle W may be of any approved construction and is preferably formed, as usual, of wood. It is connected to the frame by means of two curved arms X, which are detachably connected to threaded bosses y, projecting from the inner sides of the stationary disks and held thereon by nuts, and provided in rear of the same with segmentshaped bifurcated extensions .2, which straddle the main shaft l) and are clamped against the inner sides of the end hangers O of the frame by the bolts n, which secure the said hangers to the stationary disks E. By this construction it will be seen that the handle may be adjusted as desired independent of the frame and cutting mechanism and With-- out interfering with the adjustment of the same. j

It will of course be understood that changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be made within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a lawnunower of the character de scribed, the combination of ground-wheels open at their inner sides and carrying drivegears, stationary disks arranged on the inner sides of the ground-wheels and carrying stubshafts on which said wheels are mounted, said disks beingprovidedin theirrear portions with segmental slots, a ground-roller supported by,

the disks, a cutter-frame consisting of a cross bar supported by vertical end hangers having horizontal slots, bolts projecting through the said horizontal slots and the segmental slots in the disks and adj ustably securing the frame to said disks so that the front end thereof may be raised and lowered for high and low cut, a main shaft journaled at its ends in said hangers and having said ends projecting through the segmental slots in the disks and carrying pinions meshing with the gears on the ground-wheel, whereby the frame may be oscillated on the shaft or the shaft and frame simultaneously adjusted vertically by loosening said bolts, a fixed cutter on the cross-bar of the frame, a rotary cutter mounted thereon, and gearing for driving the rotary cutter from the shaft, substantially as described.

2. In a lawn-mower of the character de- IIO scribed, the combination of ground wheels open at their inner sides and carrying drivegears, stationary disks arranged on the inner sides of the ground-wheels and carrying stubshafts on which said wheels are mounted, said disks being provided in their rear portions with segmental slots, a ground-roller supported by the disks, a cutter-frame consisting of a cross-bar supported by vertical end hangers having horizontal slots, bolts projecting through the said horizontal slots and the segmental slots in the disks and adj ustably securing the frame to said disksso that the front end thereof may be raised and lowered for high and low cut, a main shaft journaled at its ends in said hangers and having said ter on the cross-bar of the frame, a rotary outsaid bolts which secure said hangers to the ter mounted thereon gearing for driving the disks, substantially as described. 10 rotary cutter from the shaft, and a propelling- In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature handle having curved arms detachably conin presence of two witnesses.

5 neoted at their front ends to the disks and ERNEST A. MILLER. provided in rear thereof with bifuroated'seg- Witnesses: mental extensions straddling the shaft and JESSEY D. OSBORN,

clamped against the frame-hangers by the HERBERT L. REASNER. 

